1 Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Nursing Student Handbook 2021/2022 Plymouth State University provides equal opportunity and affirmative action in education and employment for qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or veteran status. Registration at the University assumes the student’s acceptance of all published regulations, including those that appear in this and all other publications. Plymouth State University reserves the right to make changes in curricula, degree requirements, course offerings, and all regulations when in the judgment of the faculty, the Chancellor, the President, or the Board of Trustees if such changes are in the best interest of the students and the University. The Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Program Faculty reserve the right to review and make recommendations to revise this handbook annually.
Should there be significant changes in policies and guidelines, students will be given copies of the changes. The PSU Nursing Student Handbook is supplemental to the PSU Academic Catalog Department of Nursing PSU Nursing Student Handbook 8/2021 DD 2 Department of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Department of Nursing Phone (603) 535-2115 Department of Nursing Fax (603) 535-2117 https://www.edu/academics/undergraduate- academic-programs/nursing/ Faculty and Staff: Donna Driscoll DNP, RN, CEN Heather Newfield MSN, RN Clinical Associate Professor Clinical Instructor Director of Nursing Julie Cote DNP, RN, CNE Cassi-Mae Gelinas BSN, RN Clinical Assistant Professor Clinical Instructor Julie Fagan MSN, RN Cori Elliott MSN, APRN Clinical Associate Professor Clinical Instructor Dawn Monahan MSN, RN Debbie Simone MS, RN Clinical Associate Professor Clinical Instructor Director of Simulation Tracia O’Shana MSN, APRN Sandra Johnston MSN, RN Clinical Associate Professor Clinical Instructor Kerriann Reynolds MSN, BSN, RN, CNE Linda Simpson MSN, RN Clinical Assistant Professor Clinical Instructor Chantal LaPlante BSN, RN, PSU 12, 14 Bonnie Lapierre MSN, APRN Clinical Education Coordinator Clinical Instructor Catherine Flores PhD, RN Holly Mahar MSN, RN Teaching Lecturer Clinical Instructor Olivia Dalessio BSN, RN, PSU 19 Meghan Lahti BSN, RN, PSU 19 Clinical Instructor Clinical Instructor Karen Coughlin Administrative Operations Manager Department of Nursing PSU Nursing Student Handbook 8/2021 DD 3 Accreditation The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Plymouth State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www. Approval The Plymouth State University Department of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program has full approval of the New Hampshire Board of Nursing.gov/new-hampshire-board-nursing Department of Nursing PSU Nursing Student Handbook 8/2021 DD 4 Welcome to Plymouth State University Nursing Program Welcome to the wonderful world of nursing, As you embark on the journey toward becoming a professional nurse Plymouth State Nursing will be here to guide you through the process. The role of the nurse is more than a job, it is a profession that embodies a contract with society to provide safe, evidenced based, compassionate care to all patients, in all settings.
While at PSU, you will learn the science and the art of delivering nursing care. We, the nursing faculty and staff, will guide you through the hard work of acquiring vast knowledge of the human condition while coaching you to listen to the patient story. We will join you in your journey, celebrating the success and supporting you during the challenges. We wish you well.
Let the journey begin! Donna Dr. Donna Driscoll DNP, RN, CEN Director of Nursing Plymouth State University Department of Nursing PSU Nursing Student Handbook 8/2021 DD 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I: DEPARTMENT OF NURSING Organizational Chart 7 Mission,Vision,Nursing ProgramPhilosophy& Goals 8 Program Goals 9 End of Program Outcomes 9 Organizing Framework 10 The Nine Essentials of Baccalaureate Education 11 SECTION II: PROGRAMINFORMATION Bachelor of Science in Nursing Curriculum 13 Student Organizations/Committees 14 Student Awards 15 SECTION III: POLICIES & PROCEDURES Core Performance Standards and Functional Abilities 18 Student Behavioral Expectations 19 Inclement Weather Policy 19 Advisement Policy 20 Admission Policy 20 Progression/Readmission Policy 21 Attendance Policy 28 Assignment/Exam Policy 28 Grievance/FormalComplaints 30 University Policies 30 Clinical/Practicum Nursing Requirements 30 Simulation Lab Guidelines 33 Impaired Nursing Practice 34 Professional Appearance Policy 36 Confidentiality Policy 37 Position on Unsafe Practice in Clinical 37 Unusual Occurrence in Clinical 38 Risks for Body Fluid Exposure Policy 38 Cellular Phone and Pager Policy 39 Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Policy 39 Medication Administration Competency Policy 42 Clinical Remediation Program 42 Student Administration of IV Medications in Clinical 43 SECTION IV: GRADUATION & LICENSURE EXAM Licensure 45 SECTION V: APPENDICES APPENDIX A – ANA Code of Ethics 47 APPENDIX B – Exam Item Appeal Form 48 APPENDIX C – Unusual Occurrence Report Form 49 APPENDIX D – Root Cause Analysis Form 50 APPENDIX E – COVID-19 Addendums 52 SECTION VI: Professionalism Rubric 57 Student Acknowledgement 58 Department of Nursing PSU Nursing Student Handbook 8/2021 DD 6 SECTION I DEPARTMENT OF NURSING Department of Nursing PSU Nursing Student Handbook 8/2021 DD Department of Nursing Organizational Chart Karen Coughlin Advisory Council Academic Operations Manager Julie Cote Dawn Kerriann Tracia Chantal Julie Fagan DNP, RN, Monahan, Reynolds O'Shana LaPlante MSN, RN CNE MSN, RN MSN, RN MSN APRN BSN, RN Adjunct Clinical Faculty Department of Nursing PSU Nursing Student Handbook 8/2021 DD 8 Nursing Program Mission, Vision, Program & Educational Philosophy, Cluster Mission The Department of Nursing’s mission is to provide nursing curricula that supports excellence in nursing education. We educate future nursing leaders to provide innovative, high quality, accessible health care to the geographic regions of Plymouth and beyond, connecting with local and global health care communities. We teach practices that promote the health and well-being of diverse individuals, families, communities, populations, and systems.
We graduate competent nurses who make sound clinical judgments, communicate effectively, and make decisions using the best evidence available, to practice in an interdisciplinary global healthcare environment. Vision The Department of Nursing’s vision is to prepare nurses to deliver patient-centered care as members of an interdisciplinary team, emphasizing teamwork andcollaboration, safety, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics. Program Philosophy The Plymouth State Nursing Program derives its philosophy from the Plymouth State University values and motto, Ut Prosim: That I May Serve. The Department of Nursing embraces innovative and creative approaches to interdisciplinary, culturally sensitive nursing practice.
The faculty believe the purpose of a collegiate undergraduate education is to prepare the professional nurse whose practice is informed by theory and research to positively impact communities. The philosophy is further grounded in the competencies defined by the Nurse of the Future literature (MA Dept. of Higher Education, 2010) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Baccalaureate Education. Educational Philosophy The PSU Nursing Department provides a supportive learning environment for nursing students in the classroom, clinical arena, and the greater community.
The pursuit of a career in the profession of nursing implies a spirit of life- long learning; in that vein, the Nursing Department seeks to partner with students and communities of interest to create a mutual teaching and learning continuum wherein we all learn from each other. This spirit of inquiry is encouraged through discovery of the arts and sciences of nursing, using a problem-solving approach, whereby students and faculty alike find meaning in their nursing practice, within a framework of mutual respect. The essence of nursing lies in service to people in need; the PSU motto embraces this spirit of service to our community. Cluster: Plymouth State Nursing is in the Health & Human Enrichment Cluster Department of Nursing PSU Nursing Student Handbook 8/2021 DD 9 Program Goals Based on the Mission, Vision, and Philosophy of the Department of Nursing, the following program goals have been identified.
The program goals of the nursing program are to: 1. Prepare graduates to provide safe, evidence-based, patient-centered care that reflects ethical clinical judgement and inter-professional collaboration (NoF: Patient-Centered Care, Evidence-Based Practice, Teamwork and Collaboration, Safety) (EPO: 1, 4, 5, 6) (Essentials: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX) 2. Provide an innovative program of study that is responsive to the changes in the healthcare environment (NoF: Quality Improvement) (EPO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) (Essentials: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX) 3. Promote collaboration and partnerships within the communities of New Hampshire and the world beyond (NoF: Teamwork and Collaboration) (EPO: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) (Essentials: II, V, VI, IX) 4.
Develop students’ critical thinking skills, to solve problems encountered on the work unit, considering the health care system’s technological resources, agency policies, and client/family needs, to deliver quality care. Promote effective communication across all nursing practice settings, considering psychosocial, physiological, developmental, spiritual, cultural and educational concerns, in order to support positive client outcomes. (NoF: Communication & Leadership) (EPO: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10) (Essentials: I, VI, VII, IX) End of Program Outcomes At the end of the baccalaureate nursing curriculum, graduates will: 1. Demonstrate accountability for practicing nursing within established moral, legal, ethical, regulatory, and humanistic principles.
Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal quality and value. Use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making. Identify, evaluate, and use the best current evidence coupled with clinical expertise and consideration of patients’ preferences, experience and values to make practice decisions. Function effectively within nursing and interdisciplinary teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, shared decision making, team learning, and development.
Minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both individual performance and system effectiveness. Use data to monitor outcomes and care processes and use improvement methods to design and test changes to continuously improve the quality and safety of health care. Influence the behavior of individuals or groups of individuals within their environment in a way that will facilitate the establishment and acquisition/achievement of shared goals. Deliver holistic nursing care and advocate for health promotion and disease prevention strategies at the individual, family, community, and global levels.
Demonstrate effective communication skills with clients that foster mutual respect and shared decision making to enhance patient satisfaction and health outcomes. Department of Nursing PSU Nursing Student Handbook 8/2021 DD 10 Organizing Framework The organizing framework of the nursing curriculum is derived from the philosophy and rooted in the competencies defined by the Nurse of the Future: • Patient-Centered Care • Evidence-Based Practice • Teamwork and Collaboration • Quality Improvement • Leadership • Informatics • Professionalism • Communication • Systems-Based Practice • Safety The curriculum of the Department of Nursing reflects these competencies as well as professional nursing standards and guidelines. The curriculum incorporates knowledge and skills of both the standards of the American Nurses Association (Scope and Standards of Practice), the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education in Professional Nursing, AACN, Quality and Safety Education for Nurses, and the Nurse of the Future ©. Massachusetts Nurse of the Future Nursing Core Competencies Department of Nursing March 2016 PSU Nursing Student Handbook 8/2021 DD 11 The nine Essentials of Baccalaureate Education are: Essential I: Liberal Education for Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice A solid base in liberal education provides the cornerstone for the practice and education of nurses.
Essential II: Basic Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Care and Patient Safety Knowledge and skills in leadership, quality improvement, and patient safety are necessary to provide high quality health care. Essential III: Scholarship for Evidence Based Practice Professional nursing practice is grounded in the translation of current evidence into one’s practice. Essential IV: Information Management and Application of Patient Care Technology Knowledge and skills in information management and patient care technology are critical in the delivery of quality patient care. Essential V: Health Care Policy, Finance, and Regulatory Environments Healthcare policies, including financial and regulatory, directly and indirectly influence the nature and functioning of the healthcare system and thereby are important considerations in professional nursing practice.
Essential VI: Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration for Improving Patient Health Outcomes Communication and collaboration among healthcare professionals are critical to delivering high quality and safe patient care.